Pep Guardiola makes savage 'last book he read' dig at Phil Foden as Man City boss explains derby hero's meteoric rise

The Manchester City manager was full of praise for derby hero Foden, whose brace helped the club to come back from behind to beat rivals Manchester United on Sunday. Guardiola explained how Foden has evolved as a player over the years and claimed that the England international does not feel any pressure.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Guardiola said: "When I arrived and he was 17 or 18 years old, he had it. Football, he lives for it. The pressure for Phil is if he has to do a press conference about the last book that he read. But football, he loves it. That is why when he was 19 or 20 when he started training, I did not improve things. He was aggressive with the ball, he dribbled. And after, more mature. Understanding defensively what you need to do. Before, he was not really good. After, he understood the games.

"And then, the most important thing. Everybody had it in this audience and the fans today, when he had the ball close to their box, they had the feeling that something was going to happen. Effective or not effective, it does not matter. They had the feeling. That is why he is becoming a really important player for us and the national team of England."

The Cityzens star has enjoyed a rich vein of form in the 2023-24 season, having already scored 18 goals across all competitions, the best total across a single campaign in his career. He has also provided 10 assists in 40 appearances for his club this term.

The reigning English champions will next take on Copenhagen in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday, before they face league leaders Liverpool in a crucial Premier League fixture at Anfield on Sunday.